Friday February 26, 2010

Friday E-Mail Bag

Friday E-Mail Bag
Each Friday I publish your comments and answer your questions. To submit a comment or questions please e-mail me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com.

Mickey,
I work with many Gamecocks who absolutely blast me when we have any success
in football. They say our program is tainted due to cheaters such as Pell
and Ford. They ask how can Clemson go from 1958 to 1976 without any success
(no bowls) and then, beginning in 1977, we go to bowls every year. They do
not accept our National Championship year for the same reason. How do I
respond to them?

Rick

Rick,
My first piece of advice is to not hang out with ‘em. That would seem to cure a lot of it. JK. I am not sure how any South Carolina fan can ever give any school a hard time about football success. I would ask them the last time USC beat Clemson twice in row? Then you might mention the series record. Clemson did get caught and should have been penalized. However, Clemson still won a bunch of titles and big games despite those penalties. In every way you could measure a football program (wins, bowl wins, titles, head-to-head) Clemson has dominated South Carolina. I am not sure why any your Gamecock friends would even try to debate those facts.

Mickey,

Jerry

Jerry,
I am not sure who Texas, Florida, Oklahoma or Georgia would hire but Brad Scott would not have a hard time finding work. He is respected in the industry. Brad does not have a huge territory in the state but he more than holds his own on the recruiting trail. He is highly respected in the state among high school coaches. I think you probably saw a big improvement late in the season last year. I would think that improvement will continue as this offensive line matures.

Hey Mickey:
Not sure if I asked you a question correctly last week or not. But I sure would like to hear your take on next year's football recruits in this vein: I thought we were recruiting 4-star and 5-star players but now see that they are all listed at 3-stars except for Lane, who is listed as a 4-star. What is the deal? Do we have a great class lining up or a bunch of average guys?

Talljohn

Talljohn,
I have not seen Rivals.com stars yet. I am pretty sure they have not come out yet. When they do I would expect Lane, Davis and Anthony to be four stars. Ellerbe may be before it is said and done. I think McNeal also has a chance. I think Peake, Shell, Townsend, Carson, Sumler, Bray, Rome, Pagen, Burton, Smith, Dukes, Maybank and Anthony will be four or five stars in their final rankings. I saw one national site had Clemson number two in the nation in the early stages for next year. This class has a chance to be a top 10 class if things go like many think they can.

Mickey,
I totally agree with you that our women’s basketball program is broken. Very sad because when I was growing up they were one of the top teams in the ACC. Do you think changes will be made this off season?
Adam

Adam,
They are currently 12-16 and 3-9 in the league. This is another bad year on top of the previous ones. Also, some of the margins of the losses have been huge. Personally, I just don’t see progress. I am not sure how they can stay the course.

Mickey,

Matthew
Thanks for the kinds words about Ryan. He is doing great. I called several people today to check in on The Fridge but I have not found anyone who has spoken to him in the last couple of weeks. I will continue to check this weekend and will hopefully have a good update on him next week. Thanks for reminding us to ask.

Mickey,
I have heard the discussions on your radio show about where Coach Purnell ranks in Clemson history and I agree 100%. We are blessed to have Coach Purnell. Sometimes I think people forget where have been.

Bruce

Bruce,
In every way to measure a coach, Oliver Purnell is the greatest coach in Clemson basketball history. Period. I have written blogs and talked endlessly on the radio about his accomplishments and don’t think people need reminding. Clemson basketball is lucky to have this man and hopefully he will be here a long time.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

Prayer List
We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:
*If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.
*If you would like to add someone to the list please e-mail me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*If you want the reason for the prayer to be added to the name please specify in your e-mails.
*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list

Those who need our prayers include:
Finn Brookover, Larry in Naples, FL, RTG-Pawsitive Tiger, Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter), Jo Ann Bachman, Frank Taylor, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard, Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Christine Hepfer, Daniel Rosborough, Amy Murphey, Jack Huffman, Nancy Winkler, Dr. Nancy Strom Morgan, John Reeve, Eileen Woodrum, Ethel Southard, Vinnie Brock, Kaitlyn L, Eric Boessneck, John Bowers, Jimmy Ness, Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, John Petrey, Chalmers Carr, Drayton Melton, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy, Teresa O'Connor, Matt Jacobs, Mike Kingsmore,Perrin Seigler, Carole White Begley, Candee Massee, Lindsey Jordan, Sam Catoe, Tyler Felch, Steve Cato, the Nicolopulos family, Cason Palmer, Candace Fallaw, Scott Jackson, "the Jacksonville, FL guys", Kim Sims, the Coyle familty, Ryleigh Tedder, Steve Lee.